COVENTRY will have its first dedicated Parkinson's Disease nurse, thanks to the announcement of two-year funding.

The nurse will work within the West Coventry Primary Care Group area, advising patients and liaising with GPs.

The post is being paid for by the Parkinson's Disease Society which has allocated #30,000.

Sonia Fleetham, West Midlands area officer for the society said: "The West Coventry PCG identified a need in its area for a nurse.

"We have helped it to fulfil that need and the post is out for recruitment at the moment.

"The area does have a relatively high proportion of elderly people and although Parkinson's is not an old person's disease, it is more common among older people. This will be the first nurse dedicated to Coventry so it is quite exciting."

Research estimates around one in every 500 people has Parkinson's. This increases to one person in 100 over the age of 65 and one in 50 over the age of 80.

It is a progressive, neurological disorder, affecting all activities including talking, walking, swallowing and writing.

Parkinson's occurs when cells in the part of the brain that controls movement are lost. The three main symptoms are shaking, muscle stiffness and slowness of movement, although not everyone will experience all three.

The Parkinson's Disease nurse will provide an invaluable link between GP services at a local level and more specialised services, working with practices and hospital experts and providing patients with information, assessments, support and medical guidance.